Pneuma means interaction with God, Cecilian was a Catholic reform movement having to do with music, Metzler is a type of organ (also a surname), Angelus is angel, Virtuos is virtue, paragon is essentially perfection (I've heard it mostly used in religious themes), continuing with the religious theme, Diego de Stella was the name of a Spanish Christian/Mystic who wrote on the subject of Luke. Minerva and Apollo go without saying, though they are from opposing mythologies (neither Christian, further Minerva's Roman, Apollo Greek).
The meaning I'd like to think is hidden in there there, as it's preluded by "Oh singer, I don't believe your song and your lying lines. You've gotta do some clockwork" I'm guessing, and only guessing that it has to do with a combination between technology (signified by clockwork), and religion (the final lines).
We can also perhaps look at clockwork as a sign of religion, when you take into consideration clocktowers and bells on top of churches? Perhaps its about interaction with God through music (Cecilian and Metzler are preluded by the Pneuma, and followed by Angelus, Virtuos and Paragon)?
On the other hand it could be more cynical, maybe the line "O singer I don't believe your song or your lying lines," could refer to the church?
You're all right though, it's a fantastic song. I'd really like to hear some other takes on it though, it is rather hard to interpret. This is one of the things I truly most enjoy about Augie March, their lyrics are fantastically poetic and intelligently written. It makes interpretation all the more enjoyable.
@Wohngespenst Love your definition. I sometimes think it's better not to find out the meaning of those perplexing songs as much as the mystery kills us . Sometimes the real explanation falls way short of the meaning and magic we have given to it lol. Whenever I think about the words to this song, I think it's a wistful ode to the passage of time itself. Whether you're a prostitute or a singer .... you've always got to put in the hard yards and do some more work, inner and outer.
@Wohngespenst Love your definition. I sometimes think it's better not to find out the meaning of those perplexing songs as much as the mystery kills us . Sometimes the real explanation falls way short of the meaning and magic we have given to it lol. Whenever I think about the words to this song, I think it's a wistful ode to the passage of time itself. Whether you're a prostitute or a singer .... you've always got to put in the hard yards and do some more work, inner and outer.
Pneuma means interaction with God, Cecilian was a Catholic reform movement having to do with music, Metzler is a type of organ (also a surname), Angelus is angel, Virtuos is virtue, paragon is essentially perfection (I've heard it mostly used in religious themes), continuing with the religious theme, Diego de Stella was the name of a Spanish Christian/Mystic who wrote on the subject of Luke. Minerva and Apollo go without saying, though they are from opposing mythologies (neither Christian, further Minerva's Roman, Apollo Greek).
The meaning I'd like to think is hidden in there there, as it's preluded by "Oh singer, I don't believe your song and your lying lines. You've gotta do some clockwork" I'm guessing, and only guessing that it has to do with a combination between technology (signified by clockwork), and religion (the final lines).
We can also perhaps look at clockwork as a sign of religion, when you take into consideration clocktowers and bells on top of churches? Perhaps its about interaction with God through music (Cecilian and Metzler are preluded by the Pneuma, and followed by Angelus, Virtuos and Paragon)?
On the other hand it could be more cynical, maybe the line "O singer I don't believe your song or your lying lines," could refer to the church?
You're all right though, it's a fantastic song. I'd really like to hear some other takes on it though, it is rather hard to interpret. This is one of the things I truly most enjoy about Augie March, their lyrics are fantastically poetic and intelligently written. It makes interpretation all the more enjoyable.
@Wohngespenst Love your definition. I sometimes think it's better not to find out the meaning of those perplexing songs as much as the mystery kills us . Sometimes the real explanation falls way short of the meaning and magic we have given to it lol. Whenever I think about the words to this song, I think it's a wistful ode to the passage of time itself. Whether you're a prostitute or a singer .... you've always got to put in the hard yards and do some more work, inner and outer.
@Wohngespenst Love your definition. I sometimes think it's better not to find out the meaning of those perplexing songs as much as the mystery kills us . Sometimes the real explanation falls way short of the meaning and magic we have given to it lol. Whenever I think about the words to this song, I think it's a wistful ode to the passage of time itself. Whether you're a prostitute or a singer .... you've always got to put in the hard yards and do some more work, inner and outer.